Constant speed rotary face-cam timer



Jan. 21, 1964 R. c. ZOPPOTH 3,118,981

CONSTANT SPEED ROTARY FACE-CAM TIMER Filed April 20, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheetl 4% 30 my I W F/G/ INVENTOR. P4) CI ZOPPOTH milvzdwq yy Jan. 21, 1964R. c. ZOPPOTH 3,118,981

CONSTANT SPEED ROTARY FACE-CAM TIMER Filed April 20, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet2 y l dlrn "IR "III II INVENTOR. A34) C, Z OPPOTH IA/Paw United StatesPatent M 3,118,981 CQNSTANT SPEED KGTARY FACE CAM TIMER Ray C. Zoppoth,Rochester, N.Y., assignor to P. R. Mallory & Co., Inc, Indianapolis,End, a corporation of Dela-ware Filed Apr. 20, 1960, Ser. No. 23,550 2Claims. (Cl. Nth-38) This invention relates to control devices forsequentially opening and closing a series of electrical circuits atpredetermined points in a cycle for definite durations therein, and isparticularly pertinent to the sequential control circuit actuating meansin automatic washing means which determine the automatic performance ofa series of washing operations.

Automatic washing machines have been used for years in which a series ofcontrolled operations is made possible by the actuation in sequence ofmechanisms providing a series of cyclic movements or effects. Theoperation of these machines, for the most part, are controlled by meansof a timing mechanism comprising a series of cams arranged one behindthe other on a common rotatable shaft; each of said cams being shaped sothat on the rotation of the shaft, associated circuits are activated inaccordance with the setting of each cam. The over-all dimension of sucha switch is therefore determined by the number of operating cams,becoming somewhat cumbersome as the number of cams are increased. Inaddition, thereto, the aforesaid type of timer switch normallynecessitates the use of an escapement mechanism to give a step by stepadvancement of the timer cams through the use of a ratchet andpawl-mechanism in intermittently moving a ratchet wheel coupled to therotating cam shaft.

The present novel invention of a'sequence timer switch overcomes thenecessity of providing a multiplicity of cams along a shaft. This makesthe switch adaptable for shallow,.close limit environments. The timeralso accomplishes the same functions of other timers in a moreeconomical'fashion by eliminating the escapement mechanism. -It furtherincludes a unique snap action mechanism for actuating a line switch forturning the timer on and off.

The present timer switch comprises a synchronous motor mounted and sunkwithin a circular shaped'molded terminal board. Arranged about themotor, and driven by it, there is revolved a circular molded camcontaining a multiplicity of concentric cam rings on its face. By meansof the aforesaid individual, molded cam rings, each of which varies inheight from an upper position to a neutral position and then to a lowerposition, a multiplicity of fixedly mounted cam followers are made toactivate switches having upper and lower contacts mounted on theterminal board. The action of the switches energizes and dc-energizesthe washing machine circuits in a desired sequence. In this particularconstruction, there are seven single-pole double throw switches (SPDT)and one single pole, single throw switch (SPST), plus the line switchcontrolling the electric current input to the timer.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a timingmechanism for the control of a series of electric circuits in asequential pattern lasting for predetermined times and operating atpredetermined points therein.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a radiallymoving sequential control device for actuating a series of electriccircuits in a predetermined time fashion.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a timer forcontrolling a multiplicity of circuits to be actuated intermittently andso arranged in sequence to provide the usual wash, rinse and spin cyclesetc. in a predetermined order and duration.

3,118,981 Patented Jan. 21, 1964 Another object of the present inventionis to provide an economical, sequential timing control mechanism havinga minimum of parts.

Another object-of the present invention is to provide a simple, flexibleand economical program timer mechanism.

Still another objectof the present invention is to provide a programtimer usable in shallow depth locations.

With the above and other objects as will-appear as the descriptionproceeds, this invention resides in the novel construction andcombination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafterdescribed, and as more particularly defined by the appended claims, itbeing understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of theinvention may be :made as come within the scope of the invention and theclaims.

The accompanying drawings illustrate an embodiment of the inventionconstructed in accordance with the best mode for thepracticalapplication of the principles thereof, and in which 'FIG. 1 is a sideview of the timer mechanism illustrating the shallow compactnessthereof; FIG. 2 is a plan view of the terminal board of the invention ofthe present low cost timer invention wherein the con-centric arrangementof the motor and terminal plate is shown as illustrating the compactarrangement of the timer.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the bottom of the timer mechanism showing themounting strap and line switch construction thereof.

FIG. *4 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of the invention ofthe low cost sequential timer mechanism wherein the parts are assembledin relation to each other and as illustrating the constructionalarrangement of the parts so as to give anextremely compact mechanism andas taken along line 44 of FIG. 1.

\FIG. 5 is a cross sectional broken away view as taken along line 5-5 ofFIG. 4 of a typical switch used in the timer in which the cam followerfinger is actuated by the contour of the cam thereof.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view with portions broken away, of the snapactionspring mechanism which actuates the line switch for turning thetimer on and off.

FIG. 7 is a face view of the snap action line switch of the timingmechanism taken along. line 77 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the line switch of the presentembodiment of the invention as taken along line $8 of FIG. 7; and FIG. 9is an exploded view of the timer mechanism as adapted to illustrate thecooperative arrangement of the components.

Generally speaking, the present invention comprises means and methods ofmaking and breaking one or more pairs of contacts in a controlledsequence cycle for an automatic washing machine and wherein each pair ofcontacts is activated for a prescribed period and in a controlledsequence.

In the invention, the contact means for activating the electricalcircuits is supplied by a series of switches which are radially andconcentrically disposed with reference to a motor which turns a multipleface molded cam into juxtaposition with the molded terminal boardcarrying the switches.

Referring now to the figures of the drawings of the constant speedmechanism consists of a fractional horsepower synchronous motor 10(FIGS. 4 and 9) mounting a pinion gear 1:1 which engages a free floatinginternally toothed ring gear 12. The internal ring gear 12 in turnmounts two pawls 13, 14 on its face 116 which engage a stampeduni-directional ratchet wheel 15 having raised struck-out teeth 17thereon. By means of three extended keys .18 said ratchet wheel 15 iskeyed via keyways 20 to a centrally molded collar 21. integrally joinedto and vertically extended up from the face of cam 22 causing said camto revolve at constant speed about the motor. Transmitting the pinionand ling gear drive through the uni-directional ratchet wheel isnecessary to prevent the operator from manually rotating the timer in acounterclockwise direction which would damage the U-shaped formed camfollower fingers 23. Ratchet is necessary, on the other hand, to allowthe operator to manually advance the timer in clockwise direction to anydesired setting.

A formed and channeled sheet metal strap serves to .tightly couple themolded terminal board 3t} and molded cam 31 in juxtaposition with eachother. As seen, the terminal board contains the fixed multipositionedswitches 33 and terminals 34. These switches are activated by thefollowers 36 on face tracks 32 of the rotating cam 31. Cam 31 is rotatedon nylon bearings points having the form of cones and which support face39 of the ca m which is rotated by the motor during the ratchetmechanism comprising the pinion 11, internal ratchet 12, pawl 13,ratchet .15, keys 18 and keyways 20. Within the channeled strap is theline switch 37 which is actuated by axial movement of the timer shaft49.

The axial movement of the timer shaft 40 is to ac complis-h on and 011position of the switch 4-1 governing current input to the timer. 'In thepresent invention, the switch 37 provides an improved and simplifiedconstruction. It comprises a thin, round spring steel washer 42fabricated with a spherical radius. This construction has a resilientsnap act-ion much in the manner of a snapping diaphragm when pressure isapplied thereto. The snap action washer 42 is retained within a groove43 on the timer shaft while its periphery is contained by stamped cars44 and a depressed annular groove 45 on the strap. Thus, the desiredsnap action axial movement of the shaft is obtained by pushing andpulling the washing machine control means. By means of a molded ring onthe shaft, the line switch 37 is opened or closed.

The function of the usual escapement mechanism in a sequential timer isto provide an intermittent drive to the cams which provides a quick makeand break of the contact points of the switches connected thereto. Inthe constant speed timer describe herein the contact points make andbreak slowly and provision has been made to minimize the arcing, weldingand erosion which might occur. It has been determined through tests thatthe worst condition for contact wear occurs when a heavy motor loadmakes slowly and breaks fast. It is to be noted that in the presentswitch the construction of modifications and changes will readily occurto those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention tothe exact construction and operation shown and described, andaccordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resortedto, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A control device for sequentially opening and closing a series ofelectrical circuits comprising a fixed terminal board having a centralcircular opening therethrough, a motor being placed in said opening,said opening being substantially the same diameter of said motor,switches on said terminal board having cam followers, said switchesplaced on both sides of said motor, a cam having a collar for includingsaid motor therewithin, said cam being coupled to and rotatable aboutsaid motor by a ratchet mechanism, said mechanism including a piniondriven by said motor, an internal ring gear driven by said pinion havinga double pawl mounted thereon, and a ratchet ring upon which said pawlmoves to move said ratchet ring, said ring having ears coupled to saidcollar of said cam whereby said cam is rotated, said cam having varyingheights of calm tracks on its face, said switches being activated bysaid followers responding to the heights of said tracks to activate saidcircuits in a determined time pattern.

2. A control device as in claim 1 including a mounting strap therefor,said strap carrying nylon bearings upon which said cam rotates.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,619,557 Illian Nov. 25, 1952 2,703,347 Constantine Mar. 1, 19552,758,166 Aust et al. Aug. 7, 1956 2,798,124 Sharbaugh July 2, 19572,855,477 Ullman Oct. 7, 1958 2,877,317 Euler et al. Mar. 10, 1959 OTHERREFERENCES Product Engineering, Bearing and Gears, September 1948, p.

1. A CONTROL DEVICE FOR SEQUENTIALLY OPENING AND CLOSING A SERIES OFELECTRICAL CIRCUITS COMPRISING A FIXED TERMINAL BOARD HAVING A CENTRALCIRCULAR OPENING THERETHROUGH, A MOTOR BEING PLACED IN SAID OPENING,SAID OPENING BEING SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME DIAMETER OF SAID MOTOR,SWITCHES ON SAID TERMINAL BOARD HAVING CAM FOLLOWERS, SAID SWITCHESPLACED ON BOTH SIDES OF SAID MOTOR, A CAM HAVING A COLLAR FOR INCLUDINGSAID MOTOR THEREWITHIN, SAID CAM BEING COUPLED TO AND ROTATABLE ABOUTSAID MOTOR BY A RATCHET MECHANISM, SAID MECHANISM INCLUDING A PINIONDRIVEN BY SAID MOTOR, AN INTERNAL RING GEAR DRIVEN BY SAID PINION HAVINGA DOUBLE PAWL MOUNTED THEREON, AND A RATCHET RING UPON WHICH SAID PAWLMOVES TO MOVE SAID RATCHET RING, SAID RING HAVING EARS COUPLED TO SAIDCOLLAR OF SAID CAM WHEREBY SAID CAM IS ROTATED, SAID CAM HAVING VARYINGHEIGHTS OF CAM TRACKS ON ITS FACE, SAID SWITCHES BEING ACTIVATED BY SAIDFOLLOWERS RESPONDING TO THE HEIGHTS OF SAID TRACKS TO ACTIVATE SAIDCIRCUITS IN A DETERMINED TIME PATTERN.